Game 80: Toyota 98, Walk Tall 87 (Dec. 15, 1979)

Toyota finished off Crispa Walk Tall in four games, capping off the 1979 PBA campaign by winning the third conference championship for the third straight year.

Toyota whips Crispa, retains PBA crown

By Bert Eljera

Bulletin Today

Published Sunday Dec. 16, 1979

Toyota captured the third conference crown of the Philippine Basketball Association for the third straight year last night with a masterful 98-87 conquest of Crispa Walk Tall before some 20,000 fans at the Araneta Coliseum.

It was a classic display of speedness that the Tamaraws dished out as they never wavered in their play from both sides of the court to reassert their supremacy in the conference they won for the first time in 1977.

Toyota outclassed Walk Tall in the match-ups of imports vs. imports and locals vs. locals, although the Tamaraws had to rely on a strong finishing kick to finally turn back the rallying Jeansmakers.

Game 79: Toyota 107, Walk Tall 102 (Dec. 13, 1979)

Behind a hot start from import Andy Fields, Toyota topped Crispa Walk Tall to gain a 2-1 lead and a win shy of claiming the 1979 PBA third conference crown.

Toyota subdues Crispa, 107-102

By Al Mendoza

Bulletin Today

Published Friday Dec. 14, 1979

Andrew Fields banged in 17 points in the first quarter last night as defending champion Toyota downed Crispa Walk Tall, 107-102, for a commanding 2-1 lead in their best-of-five series for the PBA third conference championship at the Araneta Coliseum.

With Fields breaking loose, the Tamaraws outscored the Jeansmakers, 31-20, in the second quarter for a 52-42 halftime lead from which Crispa never recovered.

The defending champions went on to post their biggest lead at 82-63, and then held off a rally by the Jeansmakers in the closing minutes to move within a game of winning their third straight conference title.

Game 78: Toyota 123, Walk Tall 95 (Dec. 11, 1979)

Toyota crushed Crispa Walk Tall on the day Dante Silverio resigned as coach and team manager to even the 1979 PBA third conference championship series at a game apiece.

Toyota rips Crispa by 28

By Al Mendoza

Bulletin Today

Published Wednesday Dec. 12, 1979

Toyota, with its three suspended players back and playing under a new coach, bounced back with vengeance last night to crush Crispa Walk Tall, 123-95, and square their best-of-five series for the PBA third conference championship at one game apiece.

A crowd estimated at 12,000 — one of the smallest to watch a Toyota-Crispa match at the Araneta Coliseum — saw the reinforced Tamaraws rout the Jeansmakers, who played without import Irving Chatman.

The Tams, now managed by Ricardo Silverio, Sr., president of the Delta Motor Corp., and coached by Fortunato Acuna following the resignation of Dante Silverio yesterday morning as coach and manager of the team, led all the way and even led by 37 points once in the lopsided encounter.

Silverio quits as coach, team manager (Dec. 11, 1979)

Dante Silverio resigned as Toyota’s coach and team manager hours before Game 2 of the 1979 PBA third conference championship series amid pressure to bring back Ramon Fernandez, Abe King and Estoy Estrada from suspension.

Silverio quits as coach, team manager

Bulletin Today

Published Wednesday Dec. 12, 1979

Dante Silverio, one of the country’s finest rally drivers who has risen to become a noted basketball coach, has resigned his post as head coach and manager of the Toyota basketball team.

Silverio, 40, made the announcement yesterday shortly after team owner Ricardo Silverio, Sr. overruled Dante’s decision to mothball three key players for the rest of the best-of-five series with arch rival Walk Tall (Crispa) for the third conference title.

Fernandez and company to play for Toyota? (Dec. 10, 1979)

Reports that the suspensions imposed to Ramon Fernandez, Abe King and Estoy Estrada have been lifted surfaced before the second game of the 1979 PBA third conference championship series between Toyota and Crispa Walk Tall.

Fernandez and company to play for Toyota?

Bulletin Today

Published Tuesday Dec. 11, 1979

Its stock boosted immeasurably by an easy 129-101 win last Saturday, Crispa Walk Tall tries to make it two in a row tonight when it takes on Toyota in the second game of their best-of-five series for the PBA third conference championship at the Araneta Coliseum.

The Jeansmakers, however, may have to exert more effort because of a report that the three suspended Toyota players — Ramon Fernandez, Abe King and Ernesto Estrada — will play for the Tamaraws tonight. The game is set at 7:30 p.m.

Game 77: Walk Tall 129, Toyota 101 (Dec. 8, 1979)

Crispa Walk Tall drew first blood against Toyota in their best-of-five series for the 1979 PBA third conference championship. The Tamaraws once again played minus Ramon Fernandez, Abe King and Estoy Estrada.

Harris, C’tman shine as Crispa wins by 28

By Al Mendoza

Bulletin Today

Published Sunday Dec. 9, 1979

A near-flawless performance by the imports led Crispa to a smashing 129-101 win over Toyota last night in the opener of their best-of-five series for the PBA third conference crown at the Araneta Coliseum.

Bernard Harris routed Andrew Fields while Irving Chatman held his fort against the deadlier Bruce “Sky” King in a matchup hatched only before the game.

Game 76: Walk Tall 107, Toyota 100 (Dec. 1, 1979)

Walk Tall, the new name carried by the Crispa franchise, won its only 1979 PBA third conference elimination round meeting against a Toyota side playing without Ramon Fernandez, Abe King and Estoy Estrada.

WT rallies to beat Toyota

By Al Mendoza

Bulletin Today

Published Sunday Dec. 2, 1979

Timely shuffling by Baby Dalupan carried Walk Tall to a come-from-behind 107-100 victory over previously unbeaten Toyota last night in the PBA third conference at the Araneta Coliseum.

For almost 30 minutes, Dalupan groped in the dark until he made the right move — he put in Philip Cezar in place of the scrappy Irving Chatman.

From 16 points down, 59-75, early in the third quarter, Cezar, who turned 27 yesterday, blasted in 12 points in a wicked 27-8 bomb that catapulted Walk Tall to an 86-81 bubble en route to a 92-83 margin at the end of the period.

Game 75: Toyota 95, Crispa 93 (Oct. 20, 1979)

Toyota stayed in contention for a spot in the 1979 PBA second conference championship series by winning their second semifinal meeting against Crispa.

Toyota bounces back; RTO wins anew

By Bert Eljera

Bulletin Today

Published Sunday Oct. 21, 1979

Andrew Fields ruled the boards and Ramon Fernandez demonstrated his worth to Toyota last night with a game-clinching foul shot as the Tamaraws got a new lease on life with a 95-93 decision over the Crispa Redmanizers in the PBA second conference semifinals at the Araneta Coliseum.

Fields, who practically played the entire game after partner Bruce King sprained his foot less than three minutes into the first quarter, outclassed the duo of Cyrus Mann and Irving Chatman, 24-11, in rebounds.

Game 74: Crispa 102, Toyota 92 (Oct. 16, 1979)

Behind clutch baskets from Philip Cezar and Abet Guidaben, Crispa finally ended its struggles against Toyota in the 1979 PBA second conference and win their first meeting in the two-round semifinals.

Crispa trips Toyota, 102-90; RTO wins

By Bert Eljera

Bulletin Today

Published Wednesday Oct. 17, 1979

Crispa found an unlikely hero in Irving Chatman last night and then banked on a pair of buzzer-beating shots in the homestretch to beat arch rival Toyota, 102-92, and bounce back into contention in the PBA second conference at the Araneta Coliseum.

Philip Cezar and Alberto Guidaben each scored on a jumpshot that beat the 25-second buzzer as the Redmanizers, after grabbing the lead, 92-90, played a masterful percentage game.

Game 73: Toyota 109, Crispa 104 (Sept. 30, 1979)

Import Andy Fields and Ramon Fernandez keyed Toyota’s comeback win over Crispa and clinch a spot in the four-team semifinals of the 1979 PBA second conference.

Toyota rallies to top Crispa five, 109-104

By Bert Eljera

Bulletin Today

Published Monday Oct. 1, 1979

Andrew Fields turned his relief job into the high point of the game and Ramon Fernandez again came up with his late heroics last night as Toyota rolled back Crispa, 109-104, in a pulsating PBA second conference game at the Araneta Coliseum.

Fields, playing in relief of Bruce “Sky” King, popped in key points that ignited a scorching fourth-quarter Toyota rally while Fernandez, nursing five fouls as early as the third quarter, scored four points, blocked two shots and dealt a key assist in the dying minutes.

1-on-1: Cezar 15, Fernandez 8 (Sept. 29, 1979)

Crispa’s Philip Cezar beat Toyota’s Ramon Fernandez in the first game of their best-of-three series for the 1979 PBA one-on-one tournament.

GT, Royal & Cezar prevail

Bulletin Today

Published Sunday Sept. 30, 1979

Philip Cezar outclassed a poor-shooting Ramon Fernandez, 15-8, in the opener of their one-on-one championship series sponsored by Sprite.

Cezar, the second seed, raced to a 10-2 lead as Fernandez repeatedly missed on undergoal stabs.

Game 72: Toyota 120, Crispa 110 (Sept. 1, 1979)

Toyota downed Crispa in the first round of the 1979 PBA second conference highlighted by Tamaraws import Andrew Fields’ first appearance in the fabled rivalry.

Toyota beats Crispa by 10

By Bert Eljera

Bulletin Today

Published Sunday Sept. 2, 1979

Toyota outclassed Crispa last night in two aspects — battle of the imports and the local side — as the Tamaraws beat the Redmanizers, 120-110, before some 30,000 fans in the PBA second conference at the Araneta Coliseum.

Bruce “Sky” King and Andrew Fields outshone Cyrus Mann and Corneli Warner while Arnulfo Tuadles led a stirring play by Toyota’s local players as the Tamaraws led practically all the way en route to the easy win.

Game 71: Crispa 118, Toyota 111 (July 7, 1979)

Crispa saw its main weapons along with the unlikely lift from Bogs Adornado to beat Toyota in the deciding fifth game and capture the 1979 PBA All-Filipino title. It was the Redmanizers’ first championship in four conferences.

Crispa beats Toyota, wins All-Filipino title

By Bert Eljera

Bulletin Today

Published Sunday July 8, 1979

Crispa ended the frustrations of over a year as a non-winner last night with a stunning 118-111 conquest of bitter rival Toyota to capture the All-Filipino conference of the Philippine Basketball Association before a sell-out crowd at the Araneta Coliseum.

It was a classic display of the Crispa of old as the Redmanizers, for once flaunting the might of their big bench, outsteadied the Tamaraws in a pulse-stopping finish that rightfully served as the climax of a savagely fought best-of-five championship series.

Assign more cops in Big Dome (July 6, 1979)

Additional security was assigned for the deciding fifth game of the 1979 PBA All-Filipino championship series between Crispa and Toyota as a measure to prevent fans from throwing objects as witnessed in the last two games.

Assign more cops in Big Dome today

Bulletin Today

Published Saturday July 7, 1979

Uniformed policemen will be assigned to maintain order in various sections of the Araneta Coliseum during today’s Toyota-Crispa game, it was learned yesterday from the assistant to the Metro Manila governor and MMC chairman, Ismael A. Mathay, Jr.

Mathay said that upon request of Commissioner Louie Tabuena, and in consultation with Col. Luis Riad of the Metropolitan Command (Metrocom), he directed Brig. General Tomas Karinga, superintendent of northern police district, to deploy peace officers inside the Araneta Coliseum during the championship game between the country’s foremost professional cage teams.

The request of Tabuena was an offshoot of the behavior of the crowd during the past two encounters between Toyota and Crispa in which coins, corn cobs, and other debris were thrown into the hardcourt.

He sounded an appeal to those who will witness today’s final game of the All-Filipino series and to the players, team officials, and arbiters to cooperate in making the game as enjoyable as it should be.

Game 70: Toyota 113, Crispa 110 (July 5, 1979)

Robert Jaworski came with key plays on both ends down the stretch to help Toyota force a deciding fifth game in their 1979 PBA All-Filipino championship series with Crispa.

Toyota beats Crispa, evens series

By Ding Marcelo

Bulletin Today

Published Friday July 6, 1979

Toyota came off with a consummate endgame brilliance last night to escape with a heart-stopping 113-110 triumph that derailed Crispa’s championship drive and elevated the PBA All-Filipino Conference titular series to its fifth and deciding game tomorrow at the Araneta Coliseum.

Foul riddled and their backs to the wall, the Tamaraws produced an awesome performance that makes tomorrow’s championship open to great expectations.

Robert Jaworski nursed five fouls midway in the third quarter, but he delivered the tie-breaking basket on his own interception while Abe King and Francis Arnaiz combined for three points in a 7-0 blast in the last two minutes for a winning 113-108 Tamaraw lead.

PBA's 2nd biggest spot (July 5, 1979)

Bulletin Today sports editor Lito Fernandez with his take officiating woes that have prompted the Games and Amusements Board to take over in the selection of game officials for the remainder of the 1979 PBA All-Filipino championship series.

PBA’s 2nd biggest spot

THE NEUTRAL CORNER

By Lito P. Fernandez

Bulletin Today

Published Thursday July 5, 1979

Next to suspected game-fixing and point-shaving, what ails the Philippine Basketball Association most is poor officiating.

This particular problem has been the cause of complaints not only from the players and team officials but also from fans, whose tremendous support has made the PBA the No. 1 sports attraction in the country.

Game 69: Crispa 112, Toyota 109 (July 3, 1979)

Philip Cezar, Atoy Co and Joy Dionisio came through for Crispa to top Toyota and move on the threshold of winning the 1979 PBA All-Filipino title with a 2-1 lead in the best-of-five series.

Crispa shades Toyota

By Ding Marcelo

Bulletin Today

Published Wednesday July 4, 1979

Crispa clawed back from the brink of disaster last night as the Redmanizers outsteadied the Toyota Tamaraws, 112-109, to gain a 2-1 lead in their best-of-five series for the PBA All-Filipino Conference championship at the Araneta Coliseum.

Philip Cezar and Fortunato Co, Jr. sparkled throughout the evening of tense, bruising basketball but the Redmanizers found a new hero in Gregorio Dionisio whose last two baskets broke the backs of the defending champion Tamaraws.

The Incredible Abe King (June 29-July 6, 1979)

Abe King’s superb play for Toyota in the 1979 PBA All-Filipino semifinals, highlighted by his 60-point output against Crispa that set a record for the season, was featured in the Sports Weekly Magazine.

The Incredible Abe King

COMING OF AGE OF A ONETIME ‘PROBLEM BOY’

By Peter N. Acosta

Sports Weekly Magazine

June 29-July 6, 1979

Earlier in the elimination competitions of the current PBA All-Filipino, Abe King had tried to pull off one-handed dunks. Both times, all he got for his effort was a titter from the crowd as the ball hit the inner rim of the goal and bounced out.

But last June 16, in, of all games, the first encounter between the Toyota Tamaraws and the Crispa Redmanizers in the double round semifinals, King caught a pass from Ramon Fernandez and just when it seemed as all he would do with his solo stint under the basket was to go for a higher percentage lay-up shot, he twisted and rammed the ball in a reverse dunk ala Dr. J.

It was a stunning grandstand play by King and for it, he drew cheers from the packed house thatg attended the packed house that attended the third meeting in the 1979 All-Filipino between the league's two titans.

Game 68: Toyota 121, Crispa 114 (June 28, 1979)

 Toyota turned the tables on Crispa behind Ramon Fernandez to even the best-of-five series for the 1979 PBA All-Filipino crown at 1-1.

Toyota blasts Crispa, evens series

By Bert Eljera

Bulletin Today

Published Friday June 29, 1979

Defending champion Toyota, in what its coach said was one of its “perfect nights,” outclassed Crispa, 121-114, last night to square their best-of-five play-offs for the Philippine Basketball Association All-Filipino Conference championship at one game apiece at the Araneta Coliseum.

Banking heavily on Ramon Fernandez’s one-on-one talent, a sustained offensive and Crispa’s lose of heart in the homestretch, the Tamaraws completely dominated play in the fourth quarter to win pulling away and assured at least a fourth game before some 25,000 fans.

“It was a perfect night,” enthused Toyota coach Fortunato Acuna. “We needed the win very badly and everybody responded very well.”

Game 67: Crispa 122, Toyota 107 (June 26, 1979)

Crispa draw first blood against Toyota in their best-of-five duel for the 1979 PBA All-Filipino title behind Atoy Co, Philip Cezar, Abet Guidaben and Freddie Hubalde.

Crispa rips Toyota by 15

By Ding Marcelo

Bulletin Today

Published Wednesday June 27, 1979

Crispa produced its old, prolific grandeur in grand scale last night to tame defending champion Toyota, 122-107, in the opener of their best-of-five series for the PBA All-Filipino championship at the Araneta Coliseum.

The Redmanizers’ night-long brilliance brought to mind the murderous proficiency that created the league’s first dynasty, highlighted by six straight championships as Baby Dalupan’s charges outclassed the favored Tamaraws in all departments of the game.

A PBA black eye (June 23, 1979)

PBA fans were far from pleased with the lack of competition shown by Crispa and Toyota in their second semifinal meeting in the 1979 PBA All-Filipino Conference, as written by Bulletin Today sports editor Lito Fernandez in his column.

A PBA black eye

THE NEUTRAL CORNER

By Lito P. Fernandez

Bulletin Today

Published Saturday June 23, 1979

Some 10,000 fans at the Araneta Coliseum — plus thousands of televiewers — had expected another titanic battle between arch-rivals Crispa and Toyota Thursday night. But there was so battle — just a drab scoring exhibition — and the fans were terribly disappointed.

Said one irate Toyota fan while watching the game on television at the office:

“I stayed on instead of going home early just so I could watch the game on TV. But what did I see? This? It’s disgusting.”

“Lokohan lang pala ito (They’re just fooling us,” said another angry fan as he stood up and left in a huff.

Game 66: Crispa 172, Toyota 142 (June 21, 1979)

Crispa second the last finals berth in the 1979 PBA All-Filipino Conference after routing Toyota in their second semifinal meeting. Toyota’s Abe King scored 60 points while Crispa’s Atoy Co dropped 50.

Crispa routs Toyota, gains 2nd finals slot

By Ding Marcelo

Bulletin Today

Published Friday June 22, 1979

At least five PBA All-Filipino Conference season records were set last night as Crispa tore an undermanned Toyota team to shreds, 172-142, in a tame, free-wheeling contest at the Araneta Coliseum to clinch the second finals berth.

With the victory, the Redmanizers arranged a best-of-five Crispa-Toyota title showdown, marking the seventh time that both teams will be tangling for the championship.

In a game that one would rather forget, both teams cast aside whatever semblance of defense and piled up point after point in a boring, irritating contest that had many in the crowd of 10,000 cursing the two teams for not playing seriously.

Game 65: Toyota 120, Crispa 111 (June 16, 1979)

Toyota put itself in a good position to reach the 1979 PBA All-Filipino Conference championship series after beating Crispa in their first semifinal meeting.

Tams gore Redmanizers

By Ding Marcelo

Bulletin Today

Published Sunday June 17, 1979

Defending champion Toyota reduced Crispa to a fumbling, miserable squad in the final quarter last night to produce a come-from-behind 120-111 victory over the Redmanizers in the PBA All-Filipino semifinals at the Araneta Coliseum.

Ramon Fernandez, looking like the leading Most Valuable Player candidate, Francis Arnaiz, Robert Jaworski and Abe King combined all their varied talents in a sparkling last-quarter snow to spark the Tamaraws to their third straight win in the semifinals.

The victory virtually assured the Tamaraws a finals berth and it saddled Crispa with its first loss in the semifinals. The Redmanizers are still though, 34-30, in their running private battle.

Game 64: Crispa 118, Toyota 103 (June 5, 1979)

Crispa exacted revenge on Toyota behind Freddie Hubalde to win a record-tying 14th straight victory in the 1979 PBA All-Filipino Conference.

Crispa tops Toyota by 15

By Ding Marcelo

Bulletin Today

Published Wednesday June 6, 1979

Crispa banked on a murderous third-quarter binge last night to stop defending champion Toyota, 118-103, and regain the solo lead with their 14th straight win in the PBA All-Filipino conference at the Araneta Coliseum.

The victory, which avenged Crispa’s 114-123 loss to Toyota on opening day, enabled the Redmanizers to tie the longest winning streak in the PBA which they themselves set in 1976 when they recorded their grand slam.

One-time Most Valuable Player Alfredo Hubalde, coming out of the shadows of teammate Fortunato Co, Jr., struck the hardest for the Redmanizers as he ignited an 18-2 third-quarter Crispa barrage that put the Redmanizers on top to stay, 62-57.

Game 63: Toyota 123, Crispa 114 (April 1, 1979)

Toyota rallied from a 17-point deficit in the third to beat Crispa in the opener of the 1979 PBA season. Robert Jaworski and rookie Arnie Tuadles were instrumental in the Tamaraws’ comeback win.

U-Tex, T’duay clash; Gilbey’s debuts today

Bulletin Today

Published Tuesday April 3, 1979

The league opened with a bang Sunday and officials have enough reason for grinning from ear-to-ear with the smashing live gate of some 32,000 fans, who braved the choking heat in the oven-hot Araneta Coliseum.

Toyota, coming back from 17 points down, rolled back arch-rival Crispa, 123-114, in the top attraction of the opening twin-bill and served notice it will take a lot of push from the other teams to dislodge it from the crown.

Skipper Robert Jaworski again starred in his usual style, pumping in a game high 28 points, aside from his towering play in the defensive boards, as the Tamaraws charged back from a 58-75 deficit in the third quarter to completely outplay the bone-tired Redmanizers in the final period.

Toyota got another pleasant surprise from rookie Arnulfo Tuadles, who passed his baptism of fire with flying colors, finishing with 16 points as he blended well with his teammates.